25-08-2016, 07:05 PM
Magda Hassan Wrote:David Guyatt Wrote:The US just sold out their Kurdish allies.
Biden told the YPG Kurds they "must" move back across the river, meaning the Euphrates, and that the US will not, "under any circumstances" support them otherwise. "Period".
It's interesting that, from a diplomatic perspective that Biden's arrival at the airport was an insult; he was met by the vice-governor of Ankara province. Not even the governor. Normally such an important statesman would have been either been met by Erdogan or his immediate deputy or another of equal rank to Biden. Ergo he wasn't received as the honoured guest western media is suggesting. There still appears to be considerable tension between the US and Turkey as a consequence of Washington's involvement in the recent failed coup.
Meanwhile, Operation Euphrates Shield commenced the day before Biden's arrival.
Importantly, the advance of Turkish forces into Syria seems also designed to seal the border and stop the flow of US sponsored weapons/supplies to ISIS (HERE).
Overall, this seems to be a US strategy designed to try to pull Turkey back into the NATO fold by sacrificing the (homeland need of) the Kurds - which has been Erdogan's demand all along.
My guess is that Erdogan's extradition request for Fethullah Gulen will now quietly cease altogether.
Yes that is interesting. Not quite the right reception for Biden that would indicate a full embrace of this action. Ball now in Russia's court. Syria has already complained about this illegal action.
I see Turkey already had a fully fledged social media campaign ready to go for Operation Euphrates Shield. https://twitter.com/EuphratesShield
Yep, Euphrates Shield was going ahead with or without Biden's/Washington's approval.
That suggests to me that there was a degree of foreknowledge and agreement with Putin. But maybe I'm putting my own twist on it. Yet it would suit Russia to have Turkey intervene in the flow of weapons to ISIS and (say it ain't true?) FSA across the Turkish border.
Also, Drew's point about the lack of media reporting in the USA suggests that Washington is embarrassed and that this is not good news for them - and that Biden's TV appearance may be simply typical spin to cover a fait accompli. Time will tell.
Next stop is Putin's reaction, as you say.
The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real. This act is the essential condition for any kind of self-knowledge.
Carl Jung - Aion (1951). CW 9, Part II: P.14